Detailed pics at :12 June 2006
Estima Hybrid G
Toyota announced today the nationwide sales launch in Japan of the completely redesigned Estima Hybrid minivan. (Earlier post.) The new Estima Hybrid offers fuel consumption of 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) on the Japanese 10-15 cycle and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km.
Toyota introduced the first Estima Hybrid in 2001 as the world’s first hybrid minivan with the first use of the E-Four (electric four-wheel-drive) system on a mass-production vehicle.
The new Estima Hybrid features an application of Toyota’s THS II system, optimized for use on a minivan, as well as an exhaust heat recovery system that uses thermal energy from the exhaust to heat engine coolant. This reduces engine warm-up time, which enables the engine to shut off earlier when idling, contributing to further improvements in actual fuel economy.
The hybrid powertrain consists of three main elements: the engine, the THS II front motor, and the E-Four rear motor.
The Estima hybrid uses a 2.4-liter engineâ€â€the smaller of the two powerplants offered with the redesigned conventional Estimaâ€â€with enhanced intake and exhaust systems and enhanced engine control to increase engine speed and reduce friction for higher maximum output and better fuel efficiency. The engine delivers 110 kW (147 hp) of power and 190 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The front motor offers 105 kW peak output and is coupled with a speed reduction gear to amplify torque. With the speed reduction gear, the front motor delivers maximum torque of 270 Nm.
The rear E-Four motor offer maximum output of 50 kW and maximum torque of 130 Nm. The E-Four motor assists the engine and front motor as needed and continuously optimizes the allocation of power between the front and rear wheels. The Estima hybrid offers an all-electric mode.
A 245V NiMH battery pack provides the energy storage. The variable voltage system of the power control unit uses a booster circuit to increase the voltage supplied from the battery to the motors from 245V to 650V, increasing the power output of the front and rear motors. The battery pack is mounted within the center console, enabling versatile seat arrangements, equivalent to those of a regular gasoline-engine Estima, and a comfortable interior space.
Emissions of both NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) are 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.
http://toyota.jp/estimahybrid/index.html
http://toyota.jp/estimahybrid/dop/package/index.html
http://toyota.jp/estimahybrid/dop/interior/index.html
http://toyota.jp/estimahybrid/dop/function/index.html